Page 35 of Dylan
The next match starts, and we fall silent to watch. I only came to watch Ciara’s fights. I’m here to watch her back. It’s a known fact that Vega’s underground fights can get gritty.
It’s not often that females other than Vega fight here. I was livid when Taegan told me Ciara would be fighting tonight. Nine times out of ten, she wouldn’t be fighting a female fighter.
When we arrived, I learned she was to fight Frank and Murder Mitch. I wasn’t concerned with Funky Frank. One whiff of him and I knew she would make quick work of the fight.
Murder Mitch, on the other hand, is the one I plan to keep an eye on. He’s known to always be on some bullshit. Vega is testing Ciara to see if she can handle this.
This is her family’s business. I get the precaution and why she’s done things this way, but it doesn’t mean I like it. I’m here to shut this shit down if things look sideways.
I sit bored through the next three fights. I nearly fall asleep as we wait for them to be over. The arena becomes lively when it’s announced Ariel and Mitch will be next up.
Everyone begins to call out bets, still doubting Ciara as they did in the last match. I have faith in my girl. I’ll fucking kill Mitch if anything happens to her.
“Jesus, Mary, Joseph, I forgot how big this motherfucker is. Are ya sure ya don’t want to step in now?”
“I think she’ll be fine. Did you hear how hard she hits? Mitch will fold under a few body shots. She just needs to stay clear of his fists. She’s faster than he is.”
“Ach, I pray yer right.”
The fight starts and my focus is locked in. Just as I said, Ciara is much faster than Mitch. She’s weaving around him and his punches like a pro. Her body shots take the wind right out of him, which I’m sure he wasn’t expecting.
Mitch allows his anger to get the best of him. Ciara takes advantage of that and runs at him, leaping in the air. She wraps her legs around his neck and uses her body to toss his big ass to the ground. She then begins to punch his head.
I sit forward in my seat. Mitch goes to make a move, but Ciara rolls away just in time. They both get to their feet and Mitch swings, trying to take her head off.
Ciara dips back out of the way, then spins and places a kick right in those ribs she tenderized earlier. Mitch folds into himself, looking like she’s knocked the wind right out of him.
“The fuck?” I breathe as I stand to my feet.
Ciara has placed Mitch in an ankle lock so fast I’m still trying to figure out what happened. How did I miss her taking him down to the ground? Fuck, she’s fast.
“Yeah,” Taegan roars as she stands and throws her fists in the air.
I fold my arms across my chest and smile proudly. Ciara gets to her feet with her chest heaving. She’s announced as the winner as the crowd goes crazy.
My smile fades as I see the shit Mitch is about to pull. Ciara has her back to him and he’s getting ready to swing for her head. I leap over the little barrier and rush to put him on his ass before the blow can connect.
In my rush, I knock Ciara over. With Mitch knocked out cold, I turn to look down at my girl. She looks confused and a bit dazed.
I squat to help her sit up. “Hey, baby. You okay?” I ask as I cup her face.
“Dylan?” she breathes as she knits her brows.
I smile as I hear my name come from her lips. There’s something in the way she says it, as if she remembers me this time. I want to take her pretty lips in a kiss, but I restrain myself and wink.
CHAPTER 15
Take You Home
Ciara
“You ready to go?”
I look up from my duffel bag and find Dylan standing in the doorway watching me. I nod my head and lick my lips. I’m still trying to figure out what the fuck happened since winning that last match.
One minute I was fist pumping as I was called as the winner. The next I was careened into the ground. As I hit my head, it was like my memory was jogged. Images of Dylan filled my head on a loop.
A sense of safety filled me. I know for a fact he’s someone I can trust. I used to have so much trust and love for him. He was my friend. However, I still don’t know what happened to take that all away from me.
